Daniel Ryan plays Mr Brown in Just William...

What attracted you to your role in Just William?

"It's irresistible, isn't it? It's sort of like being offered something in Harry Potter or Doctor Who, you just can't say no. They're iconic stories."

"I had just come off a play and another series for the BBC so I promised my children I'd take them on holiday for the summer holidays, but then I was offered this and thought: 'Now I've got to be the worst father in the world and say I'm going to work for the next five weeks.' Luckily, they were really excited I was going to be in Just William, so I was forgiven."

So, who is Mr Brown?

"I don't think I've ever played a character like Mr Brown before. He's probably the straightest and most subdued person I've ever played. He's a victim of his era. Having been away in the army he suddenly finds himself an alien to his three children and vice versa."

"Certainly the way Mr and Mrs Brown were brought up would have been very different from their children and they're trying to bridge that gap. But that's the same nowadays, the younger generation seem to be a far cry from their older relatives."

Daniel's time on Just William has allowed him to do period work on screen - something he's been wanting to do for a long time...

"I'm always so envious of anyone who gets to arrive in a scene on a horse or in a great big vintage car," he explains. "As you can see in the show, I've got this moustache on my face which looks slightly ridiculous so I'll be looking forward to losing that! I should have gone for the stick-on... damn me and my method ways!"